Substrate for liquid crystal display

ABSTRACT

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a substrate for a liquid crystal display not undergoing mura called gravity defect because the amount of deformation in a small load region is large and having a uniformity of the panel and an adequate recovery factor against a local load. In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the present invention provides the substrate for a liquid crystal display comprises at least a transparent substrate and a columnar spacer formed on the transparent substrate. The substrate is characterized in that the amount of initial deformation A of the spacer measured by a predetermined measurement method is 0.04 μm or more and the amount of plastic deformation B is 0.7 μm or less.

This application is a U.S. National Phase of International PatentApplication Ser. No. PCT/JP2004/003538, filed Mar. 17, 2003 which claimspriority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-092236 filed Mar. 28,2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a substrate for a liquid crystaldisplay that can maintain a uniform cell gap, and to a liquid crystaldisplay using this substrate for a liquid crystal display and having anexcellent display quality.

BACKGROUND ART

Liquid crystal displays perform display by making a displaying sidesubstrate and a liquid crystal driving side substrate face to eachother, enclosing a liquid crystal compound between the two to form athin liquid crystal layer, and electrically controlling the liquidcrystal alignment within the liquid crystal layer with the liquidcrystal driving side substrate to change the amount of transmitted lightor reflected light of the displaying side substrate selectively.

Such a liquid crystal display includes various driving methods such asthe static driving method, the passive matrix, and the active matrix. Inrecent years, a color liquid crystal display using a liquid crystalpanel of the active matrix or the passive matrix is rapidly getting inprevalence as a flat display for such as a personal computer or aportable information terminal.

FIG. 3 is one example of a liquid crystal display panel of the activematrix. A liquid crystal display 101 assumes the structure of being acolor filter 1 serving as a displaying side substrate and a TFT arraysubstrate 2 serving as a liquid crystal driving side substrate facingeach other with a gap portion 3 of about 1 to 10 μm in between, and thisgap portion 3 is filled with a liquid crystal L, and the surroundingsthereof are sealed with a sealing material 4. The color filter 1 assumesthe structure of a black matrix layer 6 formed into a predeterminedpattern to shield the boundary portion between the pixels against light,a pixel portion 7 in which a plurality of colors (typically, threeprimary colors of red(R), green(G), and blue(B)) are arranged in apredetermined order to form each pixel, a protective film 8, and atransparent electrode film 9 are laminated on a transparent substrate 5in this order from the side near to the transparent substrate.

On the other hand, the TFT array substrate 2 assumes the structure ofbeing TFT elements aligned on a transparent substrate, and a transparentelectrode film is disposed (not illustrated). Also, an alignment film 10is disposed on the inner surface side of the color filter 1 and the TFTarray substrate 2 facing thereto. Then, a color image is obtained bycontrolling the light transmittance of the liquid crystal layer thatlies in the background of the pixels colored in each color.

Here, the thickness of the gap portion 3, i.e. the cell gap (the gapdistance between the displaying side substrate and the liquid crystaldriving side substrate) is no other than the thickness of the liquidcrystal layer. Therefore, in order to prevent display mura such as colormura or contrast mura and to impart good display performances such asuniform display, fast responsiveness, high contrast ratio, and wideviewing angle to the color liquid crystal display, one has to maintainthe cell gap to be constant and uniform.

As a method of maintaining the cell gap, a method in which numerousspherical or rod-shaped particles 11 made of glass, alumina, plastic, orthe like and having a predetermined size are dispersed in the gapportion 3 as spacers; the color filter 1 and the TFT array substrate 2are bonded; and a liquid crystal is injected is known. With this method,the cell gap is determined and maintained by the size of the spacers.

However, the method of dispersing particles in the gap portion asspacers involves various problems such as a tendency of the spacerdistribution being deviated. As a method of solving these problems ofthe particulate spacers, columnar spacers 12 having a heightcorresponding to the cell gap in a region (non-display region) that islocated on the inner surface side of the color filter 1 and overlapswith the position where the black matrix layer 6 is formed are begun tobe formed, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The columnar spacers 12 have beenformed within the region where the black matrix layer is to be formed,i.e. the non-display region, by applying a photosetting resin in auniform thickness on a transparent substrate of a color filter andexposing and setting the obtained coating film in a pattern byphotolithography.

In recent years, such a liquid crystal display has been rapidlyincreasing its display area. When the substrate area increases in thisway, it will be difficult to adopt a mechanic press method that has beenconventionally carried out in curing the sealing material and enclosingthe liquid crystal, in view of ensuring the uniformity of the curing ofthe sealing material, problems of equipment, and the like. Therefore, itis now often carried out by the vacuum press method. However, with thevacuum press method, the load applied onto the cells is extremely smallas compared with the mechanic press method, so that the liquid crystalthat has been superfluously injected into the cell cannot be squeezedout. Typically, when the cells are assembled by mechanic pressing, theyare sealed in a state in which a sufficient load is imposed on thecells, so that the columnar material will not depart from the opposingsubstrate even if the liquid crystal undergoes thermal expansion due toenergization of the backlight or the like. However, when the cells areassembled by the vacuum press method, the load applied onto the cells isweak, so that the opposing substrate will depart from the columnarmaterial when the liquid crystal undergoes thermal expansion. By this,the liquid crystal will be present in deviation in the lower part of theliquid crystal panel, thereby causing display mura called gravitydefect.

As a method of solving such a problem, one can conceive a method inwhich the density of the number of the above-described columnar spacersis reduced so as to keep the substrates parallel even with a weak loadsuch as by the vacuum press method. However, when the density of thenumber of columnar spacers is reduced, there will be a problem in theuniformity of the panel particularly in the case of a large-size liquidcrystal display, so that the method cannot be adopted.

On the other hand, one can conceive a method of reducing the hardness ofindividual columnar spacers, a method of reducing the size of thecolumnar spacers themselves, or the like method. However, when such amethod is adopted, the amount of plastic deformation will typically belarge, thereby raising a problem such as generation of display defectwhen a local load is applied, for example, in the case of a pressureresistance test such as finger pressing test.

Here, no prior art documents regarding the present invention have beenfound.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aprincipal object thereof is to provide a substrate for a liquid crystaldisplay not undergoing mura called gravity defect because the amount ofdeformation in a small load region is large and having a uniformity ofthe panel and an adequate recovery factor against a local load.

In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the present inventionprovides the substrate for a liquid crystal display comprises at least atransparent substrate and a columnar spacer formed on the transparentsubstrate. The substrate is characterized in that the amount of initialdeformation A of the spacer measured by a following measurement methodis 0.04 μm or more and the amount of plastic deformation B is 0.7 μm orless.

When the amount of initial deformation A is a value within the aboverange, an inconvenience such as the gravity mura described above will benot undergoing even with a comparatively weak load such as in the caseof using the vacuum press method. Also, since the amount of plasticdeformation B is below or equal to the above value, there is littlepossibility of undergoing an inconvenience such as display defect evenin the case in which a local load is applied, for example, in a fingerpressing test.

-   -   Measurement method: a compression load is applied in the axial        direction of the above columnar spacer up to 80 mN at a load        applying speed of 22 mPa/sec and that state is maintained for 5        seconds. Thereafter, the load is removed down to 0 mN at a load        removing speed of 22 mPa/sec, and that state is maintained for 5        seconds.    -   Amount of initial deformation A: amount of compression        deformation obtained by X−Y assuming that the initial height of        the columnar spacer is X, and the height when the load F (mN)        obtained by the following formula (1) is applied during the        above load application is Y.        F=19.6/n  (1)

(10≦n≦50, n is the density of the number of columnar spacers(pieces/mm²)

-   -   Amount of plastic deformation B: amount of residual deformation        obtained by X−Z assuming that the initial height of the columnar        spacer is X and the height after removing the above load and        maintaining that state for 5 seconds is Z.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the following elasticdeformation ratio C is 60% or more.

When the elastic deformation ratio is within this range, the shape willsufficiently return to its original shape even when a local load isapplied such as in the finger pressing test described above, so that thepossibility of raising a problem such as display defect will be furtherlower.

-   -   elastic deformation ratio C: deformation ratio obtained by        [(Z−W)/(X−W)]×100 assuming that the initial height of the        columnar spacer is X; the height after applying the load of 80        mN and maintaining for 5 seconds is W; and the height after        removing the above load and maintaining for 5 seconds is Z.

It is preferable that the present invention is used particularly in aliquid crystal display of 17 inches or more. This is because, in aliquid crystal display having a larger scale, there is a need to adoptparticularly the vacuum press method, so that the present invention willbe more effective.

Also, the present invention provides a substrate for a liquid crystaldisplay having at least a transparent substrate and a columnar spacerformed on the above transparent substrate and being used in a liquidcrystal display of 17 inches or more, the substrate for a liquid crystaldisplay being characterized in that the density of the number of theabove columnar spacers is within a range from 15 pieces/mm² to 50pieces/mm².

As described above, in a liquid crystal display of 17 inches or more,one needs to perform pressing by the vacuum press method so as to curethe sealing material and fill with a liquid crystal. However, by thevacuum press method, there is an inconvenience called vacuum mura asdescribed above, so that a columnar spacer that deforms by apredetermined amount is needed even with a comparatively weak load.However, when the columnar spacers are present at a conventional numberdensity (10 pieces/mm² or less) , one needs to hold the load that theindividual columnar spacers receive, and also the upper bottom area ofthe individual columnar spacers cannot be made greatly large, so that ithas been difficult to reduce the hardness, and eventually it has beendifficult to prevent the vacuum mura. Also, when the vacuum press methodis used for a large-scale liquid crystal display such as describedabove, there will possibly be a problem in the flatness between thecolumnar spacers if the columnar spacers are present at a conventionalnumber density (10 pieces/mm² or less), thereby possibly raising aproblem in the uniformity of display of the liquid crystal display.

The present invention produces an effect such as being capable ofpreventing generation of vacuum mura and improving the uniformity ofdisplay of the liquid crystal display by setting the density of thenumber of the columnar spacers to be within a range from 15 pieces/mm²to 50 pieces/mm².

The present invention further provides a liquid crystal displaycharacterized by having the above-described substrate for a liquidcrystal display. Such a liquid crystal display has advantages such ashaving a high yield and having a good display quality because aninconvenience such as vacuum mura is hardly underwent at the time ofproduction.

The present invention produces an effect such as being capable ofproviding a liquid crystal display not undergoing an inconvenience suchas gravity mura described above at a comparatively weak load in the caseof using the vacuum press method because the amount of initialdeformation A is a value of 0.04 μm or more, and an inconvenience suchas display defect is less likely to be undergoing even when a local loadis applied such as in the case of a finger pressing test because theamount of plastic deformation B is a value of 0.7 μm or less.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing a relationship between the load and the timein the measurement method used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing a relationship between the load and the amountof displacement in the measurement method used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one example of aconventional liquid crystal display.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one example of aliquid crystal display of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereafter, a substrate for a liquid crystal display of the presentinvention and a liquid crystal display using the same will be described.

A. Substrate for Liquid Crystal Display

The substrate for a liquid crystal display of the present inventionincludes two modes. Description will be made taking these respectivelyas the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

1. First Embodiment

The first embodiment of a substrate for a liquid crystal display of thepresent invention is a substrate for a liquid crystal display having atleast a transparent substrate and a columnar spacer formed on thetransparent substrate, the substrate for a liquid crystal display beingcharacterized in that the following amount of initial deformation Aobtained by measuring the above columnar spacer by the followingmeasurement method is 0.04 μm or more, and the following amount ofplastic deformation B is 0.7 μm or less. Further, it is preferable thatthe following elastic deformation ratio C is 60% or more.

Hereafter, a measurement method used in specifying the embodiment suchas present embodiment and the initial deformation amount A, the plasticdeformation amount B, and the elastic deformation ratio C obtained bythis method will be described in detail.

(Measurement Method)

The measurement method used in this embodiment is carried out on acolumnar spacer formed on a transparent substrate. First, a load isapplied to the upper bottom surface of the columnar spacer in the axialdirection of the columnar spacer at a load applying speed of 22 mPa/sec(a in FIG. 1). This application of the load is carried out up to 80 mN.Subsequently, the state in which the load of 80 mN is applied ismaintained for 5 seconds (b in FIG. 1). Thereafter, the load is removeddown to 0 mN at a load removing speed of 22 mPa/sec (c in FIG. 1). Then,the state in which the load has been removed (the state of 0 mN) ismaintained for 5 seconds (d in FIG. 1).

The displacement amount in the axial direction to the columnar spacer inthe state in which the compression load is applied to the columnarspacer by such a method is measured. FIG. 2 shows the data obtained bythe measurement of the displacement amount. First, in the state in whichthe load is being applied at a constant load applying speed (the stateof a in FIG. 1), the displacement amount increases as the loadincreases, as shown by a in FIG. 2. Next, in the state in which the loadof 80 mN is being applied is maintained for 5 seconds (the state of b inFIG. 1), the displacement amount is constant or increases a little (b inFIG. 2). Then, in the state in which the load is being removed at aconstant load removing speed (the state of c in FIG. 1), thedisplacement amount decreases as the load is removed, as shown by c inFIG. 2. Then, in the state in which the state with the load of 0 mN ismaintained for 5 seconds (the state of d in FIG. 1), the displacementamount gradually decreases (d in FIG. 2).

In the above measurement method, the reason why the maximum load is setto be 80 mN is by making reference to the load in a finger pressing testwhich is a test of evaluating the display quality when a local load isapplied. The maximum load is set to be 80 mN in order to evaluate thedisplay quality when such a local load is applied by measuring thelater-described value of the plastic deformation amount B or the elasticdeformation amount C.

In the present embodiment, the kind of the sample provided for suchmeasurements is not particularly limited as long as the sample is acolumnar spacer formed on a transparent substrate. Specifically, thosetaken out from a product, those in the middle of production process,those prepared for the measurements, and the like are provided as asample. Therefore, it may be one in which a columnar spacer is formed,for example, via a black matrix or a protecting layer on a transparentsubstrate.

The measurements by this measurement method are carried out at roomtemperature. Here, the room temperature typically refers to 23° C.

As the tester used in the measurements, those that can measure thecompression load and the displacement amount with good precision areused. Specifically, one can use a Fischer Scope H-100 manufactured byFischer Instruments k.k (an indentator having a plane of 100 μm×100 μmby grinding the top portion of a Vickers indentator (having aquadrangular pyramid shape) is used).

(Initial Displacement Amount A)

The initial displacement amount A in this embodiment refers to theamount of compression deformation obtained by X−Y assuming that theinitial height of the columnar spacer constituting a sample is X, andthe height when the load F (mN) obtained by the following formula (1) isapplied during the load application by the above measurement method (thestate corresponding to a in FIGS. 1 and 2) is Y.F=19.6/n  (1)

(10≦n≦50, n is the density of the number of columnar spacers(pieces/mm²).

First, the above formula (1) will be described. The above formula (1) isobtained by summing up the following formula (2).F(mN)=0.2(kgf/cm²)×1000×9.8/(n×100)  (2)

Here, the above value of 0.2 kgf/cm² is a value assumed to be a pressurewhen the vacuum press method is used. Also, n shows the density of thenumber of columnar spacers as described above. Therefore, F (mN) valueshows a load inferred to be received by individual columnar spacers atthe time of vacuum pressing.

Here, although the range of n showing the density of the number ofcolumnar spacers in the above formula is set to be within the range from10 to 50 pieces/mm², it is more preferably set to be within the rangefrom 10 to 30 pieces/mm², particularly within the range from 15 to 30pieces/mm².

The initial displacement amount A in this embodiment shows the loadrepresented by this F, i.e. the displacement amount when the loadinferred to be received by the individual columnar spacers at the timeof vacuum pressing is applied, and shows the displacement amount whenapproximated to the state at the time of vacuum pressing.

Therefore, when the above initial displacement amount A is large to someextent, the displacement at the time of vacuum pressing is also large,thereby preventing generation of an inconvenience such as vacuum mura.

As described above, this initial displacement amount A is the amount ofcompression deformation obtained by X−Y assuming that the initial heightof the columnar spacer is X, and the height when the load F (mN)obtained by the above formula (1) is applied during the load applicationby the above testing method (the state of a in FIGS. 1 and 2) is Y.Specifically, the initial displacement amount A is an amount ofdisplacement represented by α in FIG. 2.

In the present embodiment, such initial displacement amount A ispreferably 0.04 μm or more, particularly 0.06 μm or more. This isbecause, when it is within the above range, the possibility ofgenerating an inconvenience such as vacuum mura can be reduced. Here,the upper limit of this initial displacement amount A is notparticularly limited as long as the later-mentioned plastic deformationamount B falls within a predetermined range; however, it is typicallywithin the range of 0.2 μm or less.

(Plastic Deformation Amount B)

Next, the plastic deformation amount B will be described. The plasticdeformation amount B in this embodiment is the amount of residualdeformation obtained by X−Z assuming that the initial height of thecolumnar spacer is X and the height after removing the above load andmaintaining that state for 5 seconds (after the state of d in FIGS. 1and 2) is Z.

As described above, the maximum load 80 mN in the measurement methodused in this embodiment is the load applied in a finger pressing testwhich is a measurement method for evaluating the display quality when alocal load is applied. Therefore, it is inferred that the smaller theresidual deformation amount is after this load is removed and it is leftto stand for a predetermined period of time after the load is appliedfor a predetermined period of time, the better display quality will beheld against the local load, so that a better result will be obtained inthe finger pressing test as well.

The plastic deformation amount B is an approximation of this state, andshows the residual deformation amount after applying the load of 80 mNwhich is the maximum load, then removing the load (the state of c inFIGS. 1 and 2), and further maintaining for 5 seconds (the state of d inFIGS. 1 and 2). Specifically, it will be a value shown by β in FIG. 2.

In the present embodiment, such plastic deformation amount B ispreferably 0.7 μm or less, particularly 0.3 μm or less, moreparticularly 0.2 μm or less. This is because, when it is within theabove range, the return after removal of the load is good even when alocal load is applied, thereby providing a good display quality.

(Elastic Deformation Ratio C)

Next, the elastic deformation ratio C will be described. The elasticdeformation ratio C is the deformation ratio obtained by[(Z−W)/(X−W)]×100 assuming that the initial height of the columnarspacer is X; the height after applying the load of 80 mN and maintainingfor 5 seconds is W; and the height after removing the above load andmaintaining for 5 seconds is Z.

As described above in the description of the plastic deformation amountB, the maximum load 80 mN in the measurement method used in thisembodiment is the load applied in a finger pressing test which is ameasurement method for evaluating the display quality when a local loadis applied. Therefore, it is inferred that the larger the ratio of thereturning height after this load is removed and it is left to stand fora predetermined period of time after the load is applied for apredetermined period of time, the better display quality will be heldagainst the local load, so that a better result will be obtained in thefinger pressing test as well.

The elastic deformation ratio C in this embodiment is obtained bydefining this ratio of the return of the height as an elasticdeformation ratio, and shows the ratio of the return of the height afterapplying the load of 80 mN which is the maximum load, then removing theload (the state of c in FIGS. 1 and 2), and further maintaining for 5seconds (the state of d in FIGS. 1 and 2). Namely, X−W represents themaximum displacement amount (corresponding to γ in FIG. 2) assuming thatthe height after being held for 5 seconds (the state of b in FIGS. 1 and2), which is expected to show the maximum compression deformationamount, is W, and the initial height is X. Then, Z−W represents theelastic displacement amount that has returned after removal of the load(corresponding to γ−β in FIG. 2) assuming that the height after removingthe load and maintaining for 5 seconds (the state of d in FIGS. 1 and 2)is Z. The elastic deformation ratio C in this embodiment represents theratio of the elastic displacement amount relative to the maximumdisplacement amount, and is a value obtained by [(Z−W)/(X−W)]×100.

In the present embodiment, such elastic deformation ratio C ispreferably 60% or more, particularly 70% or more, more particularly 80%or more. This is because, when it is within the above range, the returnafter removal of the load is good even when a local load is applied,thereby providing a good display quality.

(Columnar Spacer)

The present embodiment is characterized in that a columnar spacersatisfying a physical property such as described above is formed on atransparent substrate. The material used for such a columnar spacer isnot particularly limited; however, the following can be raised as oneexample thereof.

The columnar spacer satisfying the above physical property can betypically formed by using a photosetting resin composition. As thephotosetting resin composition, a composition containing at least apolyfunctional acrylate monomer, a polymer, and a photopolymerizationinitiator is preferably used.

As the polyfunctional acrylate monomer blended with the photosettingresin composition, a compound having two or more ethylenicunsaturated-bond-containing groups such as an acrylic group or amethacrylic group is used. Specifically, ethylene glycol (meth)acrylate,diethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, propylene glycol di(meth)acrylate,dipropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, polyethylene glycoldi(meth)acrylate, polypropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, hexanedi(meth)acrylate, neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate, glycerindi(meth)acrylate, glycerin tri(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropanetri(meth)acrylate, 1,4-butanediol diacrylate,pentaerythritol(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate,pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritolhexa(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol penta(meth)acrylate, and otherscan be raised as examples.

Two or more kinds of the polyfunctional acrylate monomers can be used incombination. Here, in the present embodiment, (meth)acrylic means eitherof acrylic or methacrylic, and (meth)acrylate means either of anacrylate group or a methacrylate.

In the present embodiment, the content of such polyfunctional acrylatemonomers is preferably set to be 50 wt % or more relative to the totalsolid components of the photosetting resin composition. Here, the totalsolid components are the sum of all the components other than thesolvent, and includes monomer components in a liquid form. When thecontent of the polyfunctional acrylate monomers in the photosettingresin composition is less than 50 wt %, the elastic deformation ratio ofa pattern formed by performing exposure and development with the use ofthe photosetting resin composition will be small, so that it will bedifficult to maintain the above physical property of the columnar spacerin a wide temperature range.

The aforementioned polyfunctional acrylate monomers preferably containmonomers having trifunctional or more ethylenic unsaturated bonds, andthe content thereof preferably occupies about 30 to 95 wt % of theamount of the polyfunctional acrylate monomers in use.

When the content of the polyfunctional acrylate monomers in thephotosetting resin composition is set to be large, a columnar spacerhaving the above-described physical property can be formed in a widetemperature range. However, in contrast to this, it will be difficult toobtain a good developability, thereby tending to undergo inconveniencesuch as falling of the precision of the pattern edge shape or not beingable to obtain a forward tapered shape that is preferable for a columnarspacer (i.e. a trapezoid having a ratio of the upper surface area (S2)of the columnar spacer to the lower surface area (S1) being 1 or less).The reason thereof seems to be that, when a large amount ofpolyfunctional acrylate monomers are blended with a photosetting resincomposition, it will contribute in that the elastic deformation will besuperior to the plastic deformation because the cross-linking densityafter setting will be extremely high; however, the solubility at thetime of development will fall too much, thereby providing a disadvantagein obtaining a good developability.

In order to solve such an inconvenience, it is preferable to use, amongthe trifunctional or more of polyfunctional acrylate monomers, thosehaving one or more acidic groups and three or more ethylenic unsaturatedbonds in one molecule (hereafter referred to as “trifunctional or moreacidic polyfunctional acrylate monomers”).

The trifunctional or more acidic polyfunctional acrylate monomers have afunction of improving the cross-linking density of the resin compositionand a function of improving the alkali developability. For this reason,in the case of forming a columnar spacer with the use of a resincomposition containing the acidic polyfunctional acrylate monomers, theedge shape of the columnar spacer will be good, and it will be easy toform a good forward tapered shape having a ratio (S2/S1) of the uppersurface area (S2) of the columnar spacer to the lower surface area (S1)being 1 or less and 0.3 or more. Further, the elastic deformation ratioat room temperature will be good, and in particular, one can form acolumnar spacer having a sufficient hardness to be less liable toundergo plastic deformation and having a flexibility to follow thethermal contraction and expansion of the liquid crystal at the time ofpress-bonding the cells of the above liquid crystal panel and subsequenthandling.

The acidic groups of the acidic polyfunctional acrylate monomers may bethose capable of being subjected to alkali development and, for example,carboxyl group, sulfonic acid group, and phosphoric acid group can beraised as examples. However, a carboxyl group is preferable in view ofthe alkali developability and the handling of the resin composition.

As the trifunctional or more acidic polyfunctional acrylate monomerssuch as described above, one can use (1) polyfunctional (meth)acrylatehaving a carboxyl group introduced by denaturinghydroxyl-group-containing polyfunctional (meth)acrylate with a dibasicacid anhydride or (2) polyfunctional (meth)acrylate having a sulfonicacid group introduced by denaturing aromatic polyfunctional(meth)acrylate with concentrated sulfuric acid or fuming sulfuric acid,or the like.

As the trifunctional or more acidic polyfunctional acrylate monomers,those represented by the following general formulae (1) and (2) arepreferable.

(In the formula (1), each n is 0 to 14, and each m is 1 to 8. In theformula (2), Rs are similar to that of formula (1); each n is 0 to 14; pis 1 to 8; and q is 1 to 8. Plural Rs, Ts, and Gs that are present inone molecule may be individually the same or different.)

Specifically, as the acidic polyfunctional acrylate monomers representedby the formulae (1) and (2), TO-756 which is a carboxyl-group-containingtrifunctional acrylate and TO-1382 which is a carboxyl-group-containingpentafunctional acrylate manufactured by TOA GOSEI CO., LTD. can beraised as examples.

As the polymers to be blended with the photosetting resin composition,one can raise ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-vinyl chloridecopolymer, ethylene-vinyl copolymer, polystyrene, acrylonitrile-styrenecopolymer, ABS resin, polymethacrylic acid resin, ethylene-methacrylicacid resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, chlorinated vinyl chloride,polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetatebutyrate, nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 12, polyethylene terephthalate,polybutyrene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl acetal, polyetherether ketone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyalylate,polyvinyl butyral, epoxy resin, phenoxy resin, polyimide resin,polyamideimide resin, polyamic acid resin, polyetherimide resin,phenolic resin, urea resin, and the like as examples.

Further, as the polymer, a polymer or a copolymer made of one or morekinds selected from methyl(meth)acrylate, ethyl(meth)acrylate,n-propyl(meth)acrylate, isopropyl(meth)acrylate,sec-butyl(meth)acrylate, isobutyl(meth)acrylate,tert-butyl(meth)acrylate, n-pentyl(meth)acrylate, n-hexyl(meth)acrylate,2-ethylhexyl(meth)acrylate, n-octyl(meth)acrylate,n-decyl(meth)acrylate, styrene, α-methylstyrene, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone,and glycidyl(meth)acrylate, which are polymerizable monomers, and one ormore kinds selected from (meth)acrylic acid, dimer of acrylic acid (forexample, M-5600 manufactured by TOA GOSEI CO., LTD.), itaconic acid,crotonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, vinylacetic acid, andanhydrides of these, can be raised as an example. Also, a polymer or thelike obtained by adding an ethylenic unsaturated compound having aglycidyl group or a hydroxyl group to the above copolymer can be raisedas an example. However, the polymer is not limited to these alone.

Among the above-exemplified polymers, polymers containing an ethylenicunsaturated bond are especially preferably used because of forming across-linking bond together with the monomers to give an excellentstrength.

The content of such a polymer is preferably 10 to 40 wt % relative tothe total solid components of the photosetting resin composition.

As the photopolymerization initiator to be blended with the photosettingresin composition, one can use a photoradical polymerization initiatorthat can be activated with ultraviolet ray, ionizing radiation, visiblelight, or energy rays of other wavelengths, particularly of 365 nm orless. Specifically, as such a photopolymerization initiator, acombination of a photoreducing pigment such as benzophenone, methylo-benzoylbenzoate, 4,4-bis(dimethylamine)benzophenone,4,4-bis(diethylamine)benzophenone, α-amino-acetophenone,4,4-dichlorobenzophenone, 4-benzoyl-4-methyl diphenyl ketone, dibenzylketone, fluorenone, 2,2-diethoxyacetophenone,2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropiophenone,p-tert-butyldichloroacetophenone, thioxanthone, 2-methylthioxanthone,2-chlorothioxanthone, 2-isopropylthioxanthone, diethylthioxanthone,benzyldimethylketal, benzylmethoxyethylacetal, benzoin methyl ether,benzoin butyl ether, anthraquinone, 2-tert-butylanthraquinone,2-amylanthraquinone, β-chloroanthraquinone, anthrone, benzanthrone,methyleneanthrone, 4-azidobenzylacetophenone,2,6-bis(p-azidobenzylidene)cyclohexane,2,6-bis(p-azidobenzylidene)-4-methylcyclohexanone,2-phenyl-1,2-butadione-2-(o-methoxycarbonyl)oxime,1-phenyl-propanedione-2-(o-ethoxycarbonyl)oxime,1,3-diphenyl-propanetrione-2-(o-ethoxycarbonyl)oxime,1-phenyl-3-ethoxy-propanetrione-2-(o-benzoyl)oxime, micher's ketone,2-methyl-1[4-(methylthio)phenyl]-2-morpholinopropane-1-one,2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)-butanone,naphthalenesulfonyl chloride, quinolinesulfonyl chloride,n-phenylthioacridone, 4,4-azobisisobutyronitrile, diphenyl disulfide,benzthiazole disulfide, triphenylphosphine, camphorquinone, N1717manufactured by Asahi Denka Co., Ltd., carbon tetrabromide,tribromophenylsulfone, benzoin peroxide, eosine, or Methylene Blue witha reducing agent such as ascorbic acid or triethanolamine, or the likecan be raised as an example. In this embodiment, a single kind or acombination of two or more kinds of these photopolymerization initiatorscan be used.

The content of such a photopolymerization initiator is preferably 2 to20 wt % relative to the total solid components of the photosetting resincomposition.

The photosetting resin composition may contain components other thanpolyfunctional acrylate monomers, polymers, and a photopolymerizationinitiator in accordance with the needs. For example, an epoxy resin maybe blended with the photosetting resin composition for the purpose ofimproving the heat resistance, close adhesiveness, and chemicalresistance (particularly alkali resistance). As the epoxy resin that canbe used, one can raise the trade name Epikote Series manufactured byJapan Epoxy Resins Co. Ltd., the trade name Celloxide Seriesmanufactured by DAICEL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES,LTD., and the trade nameEpolead Series manufactured by the same company as examples. As theepoxy resin, one can raise bisphenol-A type epoxy resin, bisphenol-Ftype epoxy resin, bisphenol-S type epoxy resin, novolak type epoxyresin, polycarboxylicacidglycidyl ester, polyol glycidyl ester,aliphatic or alicyclic epoxy resin, amine epoxy resin, triphenolmethanetype epoxy resin, dihydroxybenzene type epoxy resin, a copolymerizationepoxy compound of glycidyl (meth)acrylate and a radical-polymerizablemonomer, and the like as examples. In the present embodiment, a singlekind or a combination of two or more kinds of these epoxy resins can beused.

The content of such an epoxy resin is preferably 0 to 10 wt % relativeto the total solid components of the photosetting resin composition.

Typically, a solvent is blended with the photosetting resin compositionin order to dissolve and disperse the solid components and adjust theapplication suitableness for spin coating or the like. As the solvent,it is preferable to use a solvent having a good dissolving property ordispersing property to the blended components such as monomers,polymers, and a photopolymerization initiator and having a comparativelyhigh boiling point so as to attain a good spin coating property. Withthe use of these solvents, the solid component concentration istypically adjusted to be 5 to 50 wt %.

For preparation of a curable resin composition, polyfunctional acrylatemonomers, polymers, a photopolymerization initiator, and othercomponents in accordance with the needs may be put into a suitablesolvent, and may be dissolved and dispersed by a general method such asa paint shaker, a beads mill, a sand grind mill, a ball mill, anattritor mill, a two-roll mill, or a three-roll mill.

The method of producing a columnar spacer in this embodiment is notparticularly limited, and the columnar spacer is produced by aproduction method generally used in this field of the art, specifically,by a method of producing it by applying the above composition with aspin coater, patterning by the photolithography method, and curing, orthe like.

(Transparent Substrate)

The transparent substrate to be used in the present invention is notparticularly limited as long as it is used for a liquid crystal display.A non-flexible transparent rigid material such as quartz glass, Pyrex®glass, or synthetic quartz plate or a transparent flexible materialhaving a flexibility such as a transparent resin film or an opticalresin plate can be used.

(Substrate for Liquid Crystal Display)

The substrate for a liquid crystal display of the present embodiment isone in which a columnar spacer satisfying the physical property such asdescribed above is formed on the above transparent substrate.

In the present embodiment, the columnar spacers satisfying theabove-described physical property are arranged at least at a ratio of75% or more, particularly 85% or more, more particularly 90% or more, inthe total number of the columnar spacers formed on the transparentsubstrate. This is because, when they are arranged within the aboverange, the effect of the present invention can be exhibited moreeffectively.

In the present embodiment, such a columnar spacer may be formed eitheron the display side substrate or on the liquid crystal driving sidesubstrate. Also, the substrate for a liquid crystal display of thepresent embodiment is not particularly limited; however, it ispreferably a substrate for a color liquid crystal display that is usedin a color liquid crystal display.

Also, in the present embodiment, it is preferably a substrate for aliquid crystal display that is used in a liquid crystal display in whichparticularly the size of the liquid crystal display is 17 inches ormore. This is because, in the size of 17 inches or more, the vacuumpress method is used, so that the advantages of the present embodimentcan be most utilized particularly in a substrate for a liquid crystaldisplay that is used in a liquid crystal display of 17 inches or more.

In the substrate for a liquid crystal display of the present embodiment,various functional layers that are needed may be formed in addition tothe transparent substrate and the columnar spacers. These functionallayers are formed by being suitably selected in accordance with the kindof the substrate on which the columnar spacers are formed. Also, variousfunctional layers may be formed on a transparent substrate and thecolumnar spacers may be formed thereon, or the functional layers may beformed on the columnar spacers.

2. Second Embodiment

Next, the second embodiment of the substrate for a liquid crystaldisplay of the present invention will be described. The substrate for aliquid crystal display of the present embodiment is a substrate for aliquid crystal display having a transparent substrate and a columnarspacer formed on the above transparent substrate and being used in aliquid crystal display of 17 inches or more, characterized in that thedensity of the number of the above columnar spacers is within a rangefrom 15 pieces/mm² to 50 pieces/mm².

As described above, in a large-size liquid crystal display of 17 inchesor more, one needs to perform pressing by the vacuum press method so asto cure the sealing material and fill with a liquid crystal. However, bythe vacuum press method, there is an inconvenience called vacuum mura asdescribed above, so that a columnar spacer that deforms by apredetermined amount is needed even with a comparatively weak load.However, when the columnar spacers are present at a conventional numberdensity (10 pieces/mm² or less), one needs to hold the load that theindividual columnar spacers receive, and also the upper bottom area ofthe individual columnar spacers cannot be made greatly large, so that ithas been difficult to reduce the hardness. Consequently, it has beendifficult to prevent the vacuum mura.

Also, when the vacuum press method is used for a large-scale liquidcrystal display such as described above, there will possibly be aproblem in the flatness between the columnar spacers if the columnarspacers are present at a conventional number density (10 pieces/mm² orless), thereby possibly raising a problem in the uniformity of displayof the liquid crystal display.

In view of this, the present embodiment solves the aforementionedproblems by raising the density of the number of columnar spacers ascompared with a conventional one.

In the present embodiment, the density of the number of columnar spacersis set to be within a range from 15 pieces/mm² to 50 pieces/mm², inparticular, preferably set to be within a range from 15 pieces/mm² to 30pieces/mm², more preferably within a range from 15 pieces/mm² to 20pieces/mm². This is because, if the density of the number of columnarspacers is within the above range, the vacuum mura can be prevented, andfurther the uniformity of display of the liquid crystal display can beimproved.

In the substrate for a liquid crystal display of the present embodiment,the upper bottom area of the columnar spacer is preferably within arange from 20 μm² to 320 μm², particularly within a range from 30 μm² to150 μm², more particularly within a range from 30 μm² to 100 μm². Thisis because, by setting the density of the number of columnar spacers tobe within the above range and by setting the upper bottom area of thecolumnar spacer to be within the above range, the vacuum mura can beeasily prevented, and the display quality of the liquid crystal displaycan be easily improved.

As the physical property of the columnar spacer used in the presentembodiment, it preferably has the physical property that is defined inthe above first embodiment. This is because, by this, the possibility ofgenerating an inconvenience such as display defect can be reduced evenwhen a local load is applied in a finger pressing test or other tests.

Other than that, the material that can be used in a columnar spacer, thetransparent substrate, and other preferable embodiments as the substratefor a liquid crystal display are similar to those described in the firstembodiment, so that the description will be omitted here.

B. Liquid Crystal Display

Next, the liquid crystal display of the present invention will bedescribed. The liquid crystal display of the present invention ischaracterized in that the substrate for a liquid crystal display shownin the above first and second embodiments is used. Therefore, theadvantages that these substrates for a liquid crystal display have canbe produced. Namely, a liquid crystal display can be made not undergoingan inconvenience such as the above-described gravity mura even when itis produced by using the vacuum press method that is used in producing aliquid crystal display having a comparatively large size, and further aninconvenience such as undergoing display defect even when a local loadis applied in a finger pressing test or other tests can be made less.

The other features of the liquid crystal display of the presentinvention are not particularly limited as long as a substrate for aliquid crystal display such as described above is used. The otherfeatures are similar to those of ordinary liquid crystal displays, sothat the description will be omitted here.

In the present invention, the liquid crystal display is preferably acolor liquid crystal display. As for the kind of the liquid crystaldisplay, those of an STN (Super-Twisted Nematic) mode, a TN (TwistedNematic) mode, an IPS (In-Plane Switching) mode, a VA (VerticallyAligned) mode, and others can be raised as examples, however the kind isnot particularly limited.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.The above embodiments are exemplary, so that any of those having aconstruction substantially identical to the technical idea described inthe claims of the present invention and exhibiting similar functions andeffects will be comprised within the technical scope of the presentinvention.

EXAMPLES

Hereafter, Examples will be shown to describe the present invention infurther detail.

(Preparation of Curable Resin Composition)

(1) Synthesis of Copolymerized Resin Solution

A polymerization tank was loaded with 63 parts by weight of methylmethacrylate (MMA), 12 parts by weight of acrylic acid (AA), 6 parts byweight of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and 88 parts by weight ofdiethylene glycol dimethyl ether (DMDG). After agitation fordissolution, 7 parts by weight of 2,2′-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile) wasadded and uniformly dissolved. Thereafter, the solution was agitated at85° C. for 2 hours in a nitrogen stream, and further reacted at 100° C.for one hour. Further, 7 parts by weight of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA),0.4 part by weight of triethylamine, and 0.2 part by weight ofhydroquinone were added to the obtained solution. Agitation at 100° C.for 5 hours gave an intended copolymerized resin solution 1 (solidcomponents 50%). The physical property of the obtained copolymer isshown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Copolymer Acid composition (wt %) value Mw Concentration MMA AAHEMA GMA (MgKOH/g) (×10⁴) (%) Copolymerized 71 14 7 8 108 2.5 50 resinsolution 1(2) Preparation of Curable Resin Composition 1

Materials in the following amounts:

-   -   The above copolymerized resin solution 1 (solid components 50%):        16 parts by weight    -   Dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate (Sartomer Company Inc, SR399):        24 parts by weight    -   Orthocresol novolak type epoxy resin (manufactured by Japan        Epoxy Resins Co., Ltd., Epikote 180S70): 4 parts by weight    -   2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropane-1-one: 4        parts by weight    -   Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether: 52 parts by weight were        agitated and mixed at room temperature to obtain a curable resin        composition 1.        (3) Preparation of Curable Resin Composition 2

Materials in the following amounts:

-   -   The above copolymerized resin solution 1 (solid components 50%):        32 parts by weight    -   Dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate (Sartomer Company Inc, SR399):        16 parts by weight    -   Orthocresol novolak type epoxy resin (manufactured by Japan        Epoxy Resins Co.,Ltd., Epikote 180S70): 4 parts by weight    -   2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropane-1-one: 4        parts by weight    -   Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether: 44 parts by weight were        agitated and mixed at room temperature to obtain a curable resin        composition 2.        (Fabrication of Color Filter)        (1) Forming of Black Matrix

First, components in the following amounts:

-   -   Black pigment: 23 parts    -   Polymer dispersant (Disperbyk 111 manufactured by BYK-Chemie        Japan KK): 2 parts by weight    -   Solvent (diethylene glycol dimethyl ether): 75 parts by weight        were mixed and sufficiently dispersed with a sand mill to        prepare a black pigment dispersion.

Next, components in the following amounts:

-   -   The above black pigment dispersion: 61 parts by weight    -   The curable resin composition 1: 20 parts by weight    -   Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether: 30 parts by weight were        sufficiently mixed to obtain a composition for a light-shielding        layer.

Then, the above composition for a light-shielding layer was applied witha spin coater on a glass substrate having a thickness of 1.1 mm (ALmaterial manufactured by ASAHI GLASS CO., LTD.), followed by drying at100° C. for 3 minutes to form a light-shielding layer having a filmthickness of about 1 μm. After the light-shielding layer was exposedinto a light-shielding pattern with an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp,the light-shielding layer was developed with a 0.05% aqueous solution ofpotassium hydroxide, followed by performing a heat treatment by leavingthe substrate to stand for 30 minutes in an atmosphere of 180° C. so asto form a black matrix in a region where a light-shielding portion is tobe formed.

(2) Forming of Colored Layer

On the substrate on which the black matrix had been formed as describedabove, a red curable resin composition having the following compositionwas applied (with an application thickness of 1.5 μm) by the spincoating method, followed by drying in an oven of 70° C. for 30 minutes.

Subsequently, a photomask was placed at a distance of 100 μm from thecoating film of the red curable resin composition, and ultraviolet rayswere radiated for 10 seconds only on a region corresponding to thecolored layer forming region with the use of an ultrahigh pressuremercury lamp of 2.0 kW with a proximity aligner. Subsequently, thesubstrate was immersed into a 0.05 wt % aqueous solution of potassiumhydroxide (liquid temperature of 23° C.) for one minute to performalkali development, so as to remove only the uncured part of the coatingfilm of the red curable resin composition. Thereafter, the substrate wasleft to stand in an atmosphere of 180° C. for 30 minutes to perform aheat treatment, so as to form a red relief pattern in a region where redpixels are to be formed.

Next, with the use of a green curable resin composition having thefollowing composition, a green relief pattern was formed in a regionwhere green pixels are to be formed, by the steps similar to those offorming the red relief pattern.

Further, with the use of a blue curable resin composition having thefollowing composition, a blue relief pattern was formed in a regionwhere blue pixels are to be formed, by the steps similar to those offorming the red relief pattern, thereby forming a colored layer made ofthree colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B).

a. Composition of Red Curable Resin Composition

-   -   C. I. Pigment Red 177: 10 parts by weight    -   Polysulfonic acid type polymer dispersant: 3 parts by weight    -   The curable resin composition 1: 5 parts by weight    -   3-methoxybutyl acetate: 82 parts by weight        b. Composition of Green Curable Resin Composition    -   C. I. Pigment Green 36: 10 parts by weight    -   Polysulfonic acid type polymer dispersant: 3 parts by weight    -   The curable resin composition 1: 5 parts by weight    -   3-methoxybutyl acetate: 82 parts by weight        c. Composition of Blue Curable Resin Composition    -   C. I. Pigment Blue 15: 6: 10 parts by weight    -   Polysulfonic acid type polymer dispersant: 3 parts by weight    -   The curable resin composition 1: 5 parts by weight    -   3-methoxybutyl acetate: 82 parts by weight        (3) Forming of Protective Film

On the substrate on which the colored layer had been formed as describedabove, the curable resin composition 1 was applied by the spin coatingmethod and dried to form a coating film having a dry thickness of 2 μm.

A photomask was placed at a distance of 100 μm from the coating film ofthe curable resin composition 1, and ultraviolet rays were radiated for10 seconds only on a region corresponding to the colored layer formingregion with the use of an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp of 2.0 kW witha proximity aligner. Subsequently, the substrate was immersed into a0.05 wt % aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (liquid temperature of23° C.) for one minute to perform alkali development, so as to removeonly the uncured part of the coating film of the curable resincomposition. Thereafter, the substrate was left to stand in anatmosphere of 200° C. for 30 minutes to perform a heat treatment, so asto form a protective film, thereby obtaining the color filter of thepresent invention.

(4) Forming of Spacers

On the substrate on which the colored layer had been formed as describedabove, the curable resin compositions 1 and 2 were applied by the spincoating method and dried to form a coating film.

A photomask was placed at a distance of 100 μm from the coating film ofthe curable resin composition 1, and ultraviolet rays were radiated for10 seconds only on a spacer forming region on the black matrix with theuse of an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp of 2.0 kW with a proximityaligner. Subsequently, the substrate was immersed into a 0.05 wt %aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (liquid temperature of 23° C.)for one minute to perform alkali development, so as to remove only theuncured part of the coating film of the curable resin composition.Thereafter, the substrate was left to stand in an atmosphere of 200° C.for 30 minutes to perform a heat treatment, so as to form fixed spacershaving a height, an upper bottom area, and a number density shown in thefollowing Tables 2 and 3 on the color filter.

(Fabrication of Liquid Crystal Display)

On the surface including the fixed spacers of the color filter obtainedas described above, a transparent electrode film was formed using ITO asa target by the DC magnetron sputtering method at a substratetemperature of 200° C. and using argon and oxygen as an electricdischarge gas. Thereafter, an alignment film made of polyimide wasfurther formed on the transparent electrode film.

Subsequently, a necessary amount of TN liquid crystal was dropped onto aglass substrate on which TFTs had been formed, and the above colorfilter was superposed. Using an UV curable resin as a sealing material,exposure was carried out at a radiation amount of 400 mJ/cm2 whileapplying a pressure of 0.2 kgf/cm2 at room temperature so as to join forcell assemblage, thereby fabricating the liquid crystal display of thepresent invention.

(Liquid Crystal Display Evaluation)

Evaluation of the liquid crystal display fabricated by the above methodwas carried out by the following method. The evaluation results of theExamples are shown in the following Table 2, and the evaluation resultsof the Comparative Examples are shown in the following Table 3.

(1) Local Pressure Resistance Evaluation

A metal rod having a diameter of 10 mmφ was mounted on the fabricatedliquid crystal display, and a load of 5 kgf was applied thereon for 15minutes. Display mura was evaluated by eye inspection when 5 minutespassed after the metal rod was removed.

(2) Gravity Defect Evaluation

Display mura was evaluated by eye inspection after the fabricated liquidcrystal display was heated (energized) for 20 hours with back light.

(3) Uniformity Evaluation

Color mura of the fabricated liquid crystal display was evaluated bymacroscopic evaluation.

TABLE 2 Upper 80 mN Load Test Local CS Bottom Elastic Plastic PressureSensitive Height Area F Density Displacement (F) Change DeformationResistance Gravity Material μm μm2 mN Pieces/mm² μm Ratio % μm TestDefect Uniformity Curable Resin 3.5 130 1.31 15 0.041 91.2 0.045 ∘ ∘ ∘Composition 1 Curable Resin 3.6 35 1.09 18 0.062 87.8 0.106 ∘ ∘ ∘Composition 1 Curable Resin 4.0 100 1.31 15 0.046 80.4 0.167 ∘ ∘ ∘Composition 1 Curable Resin 4.5 50 0.44 45 0.041 86.1 0.145 ∘ ∘ ∘Composition 1 Curable Resin 4.7 75 0.65 30 0.041 61.2 0.508 ∘ ∘ ∘Composition 1 Curable Resin 5.0 130 0.98 20 0.044 75.6 0.245 ∘ ∘ ∘Composition 1

TABLE 3 Upper 80 mN Load test Local CS bottom Elastic Plastic pressureSensitive height area F Density Displacement (F) change deformationresistance Gravity Material μm μm² mN Pieces/mm² μm ratio % μm testdefect Uniformity Curable resin 3.6 130 2.80 7 0.054 90.3 0.060 ∘ ∘ xcomposition 2 Curable resin 4.5 130 0.98 20 0.037 82.4 0.148 ∘ x ∘composition 1 Curable resin 5.5 100 1.96 10 0.100 55.6 0.663 x ∘ ∘composition 2 Curable resin 5.0 70 0.78 25 0.055 61.2 0.716 x ∘ xcomposition 2

1. A substrate for a liquid crystal display comprising at least atransparent substrate and a columnar spacer formed on the transparentsubstrate, wherein the substrate for a liquid crystal display is afollowing amount of an initial deformation A obtained by measuring thecolumnar spacer by a following measurement method is 0.04 μm or more,and a following amount of a plastic deformation B is 0.7 μm or less:measurement method: a compression load is applied in a axial directionof the columnar spacer up to 80 mN at a load applying speed of 22mPa/sec and that state is maintained for 5 seconds; thereafter, a loadis removed down to 0 mN at a load removing speed of 22 mPa/sec, and thatstate is maintained for 5 seconds, amount of initial deformation A: anamount of a compression deformation obtained by X−Y assuming that aninitial height of the columnar spacer is X, and a height when a load F(mN) obtained by a following formula (1) is applied during an above loadapplication is Y:F=19.6/n  (1) (10≦n≦50, n is a density of a number of columnar spacers(pieces/mm2)), amount of plastic deformation B: an amount of a residualdeformation obtained by X−Z assuming that the initial height of thecolumnar spacer is X and a height after removing the load andmaintaining that state for 5 seconds is Z.
 2. The substrate for a liquidcrystal display according to claim 1, wherein a following elasticdeformation ratio C is 60% or more: elastic deformation ratio C: adeformation ratio obtained by [(Z−W)/(X−W)]×100 assuming that theinitial height of the columnar spacer is X; a height after applying aload of 80 mN and maintaining for 5 seconds is W; and a height afterremoving the load and maintaining for 5 seconds is Z.
 3. The substratefor a liquid crystal display according to claim 1 being used in a liquidcrystal display of 17 inches or more.
 4. The substrate for a liquidcrystal display according to claim 2 being used in a liquid crystaldisplay of 17 inches or more.
 5. A liquid crystal display comprising thesubstrate of claim
 1. 6. A liquid crystal display comprising thesubstrate of claim
 2. 7. A liquid crystal display comprising thesubstrate of claim
 3. 8. A liquid crystal display comprising thesubstrate of claim 4.